For one half and three minutes, the Charlotte Hornets were able to keep up with the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, a familiar disaster took place for the Hornets. From the 9:12 to the 7:06 mark of the third quarter, their 71-67 deficit ballooned to a 79-67 margin. They continued to bleed points through the rest of the period, with Los Angeles taking an 18-point lead into the fourth.
A major reason behind Charlotte's struggles was turnovers. The Lakers' run was kick-started by an offensive foul by Collin Sexton. Then, during that two-minute stretch, Sexton and Kon Knueppel each logged a turnover.